Become a Foster Family

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i provides specialized, temporary foster care for children, ages 5 to 19, who are having difficulty at home or school.

Founded in 1986, our Nā ‘Ohana Pulāma (NOP) program provides therapeutic foster care for emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth in a nurturing family home environment. Funded by the Department of Health-Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, NOP places youth from around the state in foster homes on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island and uses the Teaching-Family Model, Trauma-Informed Care, and individual and family therapy.

The goal of our specialized foster care program is to return the keiki to their families – better adjusted and better equipped – to deal with real world situations.

Parents participating in our program receive a monthly stipend of $1,500 when a child is placed in their home. Parents are also provided monthly training on foster parenting and can also attend monthly support group sessions. We also have a 24/7 phone support line.

The youth who enter the NOP program are usually pre-teens and teenagers, and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although many have been traumatized in their past via abuse and neglect, entering a structured, loving atmosphere can help them normalize their lives.

Eligibility

Foster families in the Nā ‘Ohana Pulāma program must have two foster parents. Though it is preferable that one of the parents does not work outside the home, this can be allowed if they have flexible schedules.